Live on Purpose

I’m as patriotic as anyone…just ask my family.  I am all the way red, white and blue.  I have friends and family serving in the military here at home and abroad – even in Iraq and Afghanistan.  I am proud and appreciative of what they do and how they do it.  Every night when I lay down on my pillow, I thank God for those men and women who have died and fought and defended so that I can sleep in freedom.  I pray every Sunday and thank God for the privilege of being able to worship freely.  So as you read this understand the heart from which it comes.  I am an American and I am proud of it!  As a matter of fact, as I am typing these words, I can hear Lee Greenwood in the radio of my mind singing those famous words…”and I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free…”

First and foremost, though, I am a follower of Jesus.  As hard as it is sometimes in this body, I must look at things through the lens of God’s Word.

As I think about the events of the last few hours with the finding and killing of Osama Bin Laden, I can’t help but think about those horrible images of September 11, 2001.  I remember where I was, what I was doing and who I was with.  We all do.  I think about not only that but the other bombings and terrorists acts that were directly caused by the planning of this man.

As I think about these things, I am also grieved for all of the evil in this fallen world.  So many horrible things that people have to experience and the  pain that is felt.  I do believe in justice and I think that the death of this man does spell justice in a sense, especially for those who have been directly affected by his acts of evil.

As a follower of Christ, though, I am reminded of what Paul told the church in Ephesia.  “For weare not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12.

2 Peter 3:9 reminds us that “The Lord…doesn’t want anyone to perish, but desires everyone come to repentance.” 

So let me encourage you or maybe challenge is a better word…before you rejoice in this terrorist’s death, think about how God sees his death and how would Christ have us respond.  Maybe if nothing else, it will burden us to pray more and share the love of Christ with EVERYONE – even those who hate us! (Matthew 5:43-48)

So let us be glad that this mastermind of terrorism can no longer plot his evil (no doubt someone will take his place), but let us also be motivated to pray and be burdened for EVERY soul that doesn’t know Christ and will spend an eternity in hell apart from God, even those who hate and persecute us.

If you want to make a difference in the war on terror check out this site…www.atfp.org